Botswana Tourist Visa and Visa-Exempt Travel
Visa-exempt tourism
Travelers holding passports on Botswana’s current exemption list do not obtain a tourism visa before an ordinary eligible visit. They should still carry a valid passport, accommodation and onward details and be ready to explain the purpose and duration of travel.
Tourism visa for visa-required nationalities
The official tourism visa is for recreational travel. Applications may be submitted online or through immigration offices and Botswana missions. Supporting evidence includes passport copies, photographs, a covering letter, flights, accommodation, an itinerary and evidence of departure.
Processing and approval
Government guidance states seven to fourteen days as the normal service time. Apply with a practical buffer. An application receipt is not permission to travel; check the approval letter and all passport details before departure.
Tourism status does not permit employment
A visitor must not work, provide unauthorized services or sell goods to businesses or the public. Travelers combining a holiday with professional activity should obtain category-specific advice.
Editorial and official sources
Reviewed 3 August 2026. Recheck visa, border, health, park and road conditions immediately before travel.